IBM quantum computer taught to model complex chemical elements
In September, IBM announced a new breakthrough in quantum computing. According to the company, the algorithm prepared by the researchers allowed working with the largest molecule model to date, created on a quantum computer. Such experiments suggest that quantum processors are finally approaching the practical task entrusted to them.
According to Dario Gil, vice president of research in the field of AI and IBM Q at IBM Research, it is to increase our level of knowledge about natural phenomena.
/ Flickr / IBM Research / CC
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By and large, the purpose of quantum computing lies in creating simulations of complex natural processes. As you know, Google and IBM have opened access to their cloud computing platforms for members of the academic environment. This means that researchers from all over the world will be able to join work on unique quantum problems.
The IBM research team used a seven-qubit quantum processor to work on a modeling project. The objects were lithium hydride and beryllium hydride. The “quantum approach” was well suited for this task - the algorithms for chemical modeling really work properly on quantum processors, according to Robin Blume-Kohout from Sandia National Laboratories, the laboratory of the US Department of Energy.
Nevertheless, the most accurate simulations in the framework of similar tasks today are performed on classic computers, as confirmed by the researchers themselves. They stipulate that their processor is not without flaws. The main challenge for them is to bring quantum computing to a new level and work on high-performance quantum algorithms. The team is confident that with the development of technology, quantum modeling can be used for more and more complex chemical tasks. Then the industry will go beyond the framework of classical calculations, and modeling will help in the search for new drugs and energy sources.
In 1985, David Deutsch (David Deutsch) of Oxford University described the first attempts at modeling various states using quantum computing. However, the first viable algorithm was designed by Peter Shor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology almost 10 years later.
As scientific journalist Philip Ball notes (Philip Ball) after this, the idea of ​​making a quantum computer faster than the traditional one eclipsed the original goal, which was to study the quantum nature of various phenomena.
The IBM experiment is a continuation of the research that has already been done before. For example, in the summer of 2016, a group of researchers led by professors Markus Reiher and Matthias Troyer from the Swiss High School of Zurich resorted to quantum computation in the process of studying a complex chemical reaction.
Corporate solutions in this area are still gaining momentum. Google Lab is participating in the IBM race, which is already trying to commercialize its product. A number of researchers gained access to the platform, and according to official statements by the corporation, the system will demonstrate its superiority over the operating supercomputers by the end of 2017.
Solving the basic issues of chemical modeling, according to journalist Philip Bol, probably lies in adiabatic quantum computing (AQC). This approach is the basis of D-Wave One - the first commercial quantum computer. Although its merits as an effective tool for quantum computing are questioned , researchers from around the world are trying to access it.
/ Flickr / steve jurvetson / cc
Last year, Google researchers developed the idea and presented a prototype device that combines AQC with a “digital” approach. Based on this principle of operation in 2016, Google managed to carry out simulations for the hydrogen molecule.
Anyway, in all the cases described, the researchers faced the problem of scaling. To solve it, specialists are actively working on and improving the algorithmic component. We will try to consider this topic in one of the following materials on our blog on Habré.
PS Several materials from our blog on Habré:
PPS Materials from the First Corporate IaaS Blog:
According to Dario Gil, vice president of research in the field of AI and IBM Q at IBM Research, it is to increase our level of knowledge about natural phenomena.
/ Flickr / IBM Research / CC
')
By and large, the purpose of quantum computing lies in creating simulations of complex natural processes. As you know, Google and IBM have opened access to their cloud computing platforms for members of the academic environment. This means that researchers from all over the world will be able to join work on unique quantum problems.
The IBM research team used a seven-qubit quantum processor to work on a modeling project. The objects were lithium hydride and beryllium hydride. The “quantum approach” was well suited for this task - the algorithms for chemical modeling really work properly on quantum processors, according to Robin Blume-Kohout from Sandia National Laboratories, the laboratory of the US Department of Energy.
Nevertheless, the most accurate simulations in the framework of similar tasks today are performed on classic computers, as confirmed by the researchers themselves. They stipulate that their processor is not without flaws. The main challenge for them is to bring quantum computing to a new level and work on high-performance quantum algorithms. The team is confident that with the development of technology, quantum modeling can be used for more and more complex chemical tasks. Then the industry will go beyond the framework of classical calculations, and modeling will help in the search for new drugs and energy sources.
In 1985, David Deutsch (David Deutsch) of Oxford University described the first attempts at modeling various states using quantum computing. However, the first viable algorithm was designed by Peter Shor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology almost 10 years later.
As scientific journalist Philip Ball notes (Philip Ball) after this, the idea of ​​making a quantum computer faster than the traditional one eclipsed the original goal, which was to study the quantum nature of various phenomena.
The IBM experiment is a continuation of the research that has already been done before. For example, in the summer of 2016, a group of researchers led by professors Markus Reiher and Matthias Troyer from the Swiss High School of Zurich resorted to quantum computation in the process of studying a complex chemical reaction.
Corporate solutions in this area are still gaining momentum. Google Lab is participating in the IBM race, which is already trying to commercialize its product. A number of researchers gained access to the platform, and according to official statements by the corporation, the system will demonstrate its superiority over the operating supercomputers by the end of 2017.
Solving the basic issues of chemical modeling, according to journalist Philip Bol, probably lies in adiabatic quantum computing (AQC). This approach is the basis of D-Wave One - the first commercial quantum computer. Although its merits as an effective tool for quantum computing are questioned , researchers from around the world are trying to access it.
/ Flickr / steve jurvetson / cc
Last year, Google researchers developed the idea and presented a prototype device that combines AQC with a “digital” approach. Based on this principle of operation in 2016, Google managed to carry out simulations for the hydrogen molecule.
Anyway, in all the cases described, the researchers faced the problem of scaling. To solve it, specialists are actively working on and improving the algorithmic component. We will try to consider this topic in one of the following materials on our blog on Habré.
PS Several materials from our blog on Habré:
- The first supercomputer DGX-1 based on Tesla V100 will be used in medicine
- IBM has opened access to a new 16-qubit quantum processor
PPS Materials from the First Corporate IaaS Blog:
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/338616/
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